Return-Path: <nifl-povracelit@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id h71KLl703483; Fri, 1 Aug 2003 16:21:47 -0400 (EDT) Date: Fri, 1 Aug 2003 16:21:47 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <3F2ACABD.8060708@georgetown.edu> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-povracelit@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-povracelit@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-povracelit@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: Albert Wat <ayw@georgetown.edu> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-povracelit@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-POVRACELIT:1211] Re: definition of lobbyingColleagues, X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Status: O Content-Length: 3480 Lines: 88 I believe Mev is correct, although if someone on the listserv were to supply the names and numbers of the legislators who have influence on a particular bill, then that would be considered lobbying. Whether it's lobbying by that individual, by the organization that the individual represents, or by the organizer of the listserv is another question. I say all this with the disclaimer that I am not a lawyer who is well-versed with these regulations, and if anyone would want to verify any information, I suggest that they visit the website I referred to in an earlier email. -- Albert Wat, Program Director DC Schools Project Office of Volunteer & Public Service - Center for Social Justice Georgetown University, Poulton Hall 1421 37th St., NW, 1st Floor Washington, DC 20057 Tel: (202)687-8868 Fax: (202)687-8980 https://data.georgetown.edu/outreach/csj/service/programs/dcsp/ mev@litwomen.org wrote: > in IRS non-profit law, non-profits are unable to hire lobbyists to > advocate for legislation or to support candidates, however, less than > 10% of budget can be spent on informing members about important > legislation and educating them as to what it means and encouraging > them to contact their representatives. I'm not sure if this is Hatch > or not or if regulations are different for actual federal > agencies...but if it's similar to n-p law, it seems members discussing > among themselves the virtues of particular legislation is NOT > lobbying, but rather a critical discussion among colleagues in a > general public arena on issues of relevant importance. > my 2 cents. > Mev > > On Friday, August 1, 2003, at 08:39 AM, George E. Demetrion wrote: > >> Colleagues: >> >> A while back, there was some discussion about the illegitimacy of >> utilizing the NIFL airwaves for purposes of lobbying. Unfortunately, >> the >> definition and parameters of what lobbying consists of remains vague. >> >> As I understand it, the lobbying issue is based on the Hatch Act. I >> could be wrong about that, and if so, I would like to be corrected. >> >> However, as I understand the Hatch Act, it principally prohibits use of >> federal funds for advocacy related to political elections. >> >> I scanned the Hatch Act once, some time ago, and didn't see any >> reference >> to advocacy in support or against specific legislation. It may be there >> and if so, I'd like to be informed. Even if it is not, one might draw a >> reasonable inference (from a loose rather than tight construction of the >> law) that such advocacy for or against legislation violates the sprit of >> the Hatch Act. But even there, unless it is specifically in the Act, >> that would be an assumption that would need vigorous public discussion >> than simply assumed. >> >> In any event, when one gets to the point of analogizing US foreign >> policy >> (and foreign policy is almost always linked to domestic policy, and that >> is the point), unless I'm reading it wrong, it is a very large >> stretch to >> prohibit such discussions based on the mandate against lobbying. >> >> Now, perhaps that specific case can be made, but if so, we have not >> heard >> it here or claimed as NIFL-based policy. What we have is a general >> mandate against lobbying, but a very vague definition of what lobbing is >> and the basis upon which it is prohibited. >> >> The mandates of civic literacy require clarification on this matter. >> >> George Demetrion >> >> >> >
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